Princeton to offer meningitis B vaccine to 6,000

PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) - Princeton University says a meningitis vaccine not yet licensed for use in the U.S. will be made available on campus starting Dec. 9 to nearly 6,000 students.

The Ivy League school has experienced an outbreak of type B meningococcal disease, which is sometimes life-threatening.

Seven Princeton students and one student visitor have been stricken by the bacterial illness since March.

Princeton said Tuesday that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has officially recommended all undergraduate students as well as graduate students living in dorms and the Graduate College and annexes receive the new vaccine. Vaccination is also recommended for employees with certain medical conditions.

The vaccine is licensed for use in Europe and Australia but not in the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration is allowing its use at Princeton.